2 Samuel 20:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder;

NIV: Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder;

NASB: and Adoram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the secretary;

CSB: Adoram was over forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;

NLT: Adoniram was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.

KJV: And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder:

NKJV: Adoram was in charge of revenue; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

Second Samuel 20:23–26 provides one of several lists of David's servants. This list gives military and bodyguard commanders, court officials, and priests. This list is repeated in 1 Chronicles 18:14–17. Second Samuel 23:8–39 and 1 Chronicles 27:1–15 gives more names and stories of David's military units. Second Samuel 8:12 lists David's earlier officials. First Chronicles 27:16–24 gives the tribal leaders. First Chronicles 27:25–30 list his property managers. First Chronicles 27:32–34 names David's counselors prior to the rebellion.

David's men strike down one last rebellion. Absalom is dead (2 Samuel 18), and David is trying to reunite the nation (2 Samuel 19). After bickering with Judah over who loves David more (2 Samuel 19:41–43), the ten northern tribes give up and follow a new rebel leader, Sheba. David sends his new general, Amasa, after Sheba. But along the way, Joab murders Amasa and resumes command of the army. Sheba hides in a city. The army of Judah tries to tear down the walls. A wise woman offers Sheba's head, instead. The tribes will not rebel against David again, but they will break from his grandson Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10).

In 2 Samuel 20, David tries to hold everything together. During David's flight from his son's invasion of Jerusalem, a Benjaminite cursed him, claiming he stole Saul's throne (2 Samuel 15:1–14; 16:5–8). The rebellion is over, but the ten northern tribes quickly follow another Benjaminite. Sheba claims that David only cares about Judah and rallies people to follow him, instead. Joab takes care of Sheba, and the rebellion ends. Sadly, David's involuntary offenses against Benjamin aren't finished. He must give seven of Saul's sons and grandsons to the Gibeonites as recompense for something Saul did (2 Samuel 21:1–14). We're never told what, but the struggles between David and Benjamin seem to end.

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

Accessed 4/30/2026 1:18:30 PM